The 2013 Ford Escape: What the critics say

Motor Trend

“On paper,” Ford’s completely reimagined compact crossover promises more cargo space, more passenger space, and better fuel economy. “On the road, it delivers more than that”: The all-new Escape is sportier and more fun to drive than most of its competitors. For many buyers, the mid-level edition, with its “surprisingly peppy” 1.6-liter engine, should be the easy choice. We don’t like how the electric-assist steering muffles road feel, but generally we’re “smitten.”

Los Angeles Times

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The $36,000 Titanium model we drove features a foot-activated power tailgate that lets grocery carriers spring the back hatch without having to free up a hand. Plenty of buyers will love it. Not us. As with much of the gadgetry in the cabin of the high-end Escape, the magic tailgate “worked when it wanted to.” Don’t bother with the extras: “There are plenty of simple tasks” that this “comfortable, capable” crossover excels at—“like driving.”

TheDetroitBureau.com

Assuming that Escape loyalists aren’t addicted to the boxy look of the old version, they’re likely to embrace everything that’s new here. The 2013 “maintains the flexibility and functionality that buyers have long expected while delivering the sort of creature comforts and driving dynamics that one could only hope for.”